"So..."
Cassandra Wilkes did not move. Nor did Jules expect her to move. She was still recovering from a gunshot wound that had gotten her in the side. He wasn't much better. His forehead had gotten nicked. Still they were both alive. That was more than he could say for the other guy...
"So...?" Cassandra uttered.
"You ready for this?" Jules asked.
"I've had worse," Cassandra said. She looked at Jules. "You?"
"I'm good," Jules said.
"So...are the others meeting us have at Golden Gate Park?"
Jules looked around at the various joggers. "Yeah. I guess we're first."
"There you are!"
"Spoke too soon," Cassandra whispered.
Jules turned around on the bench. Like Cassandra, he was not in the mood for their new arrival. Then again, maybe it was...
He saw him.
Nope. It was him.
Jared Heim.
On some worlds, he was Randy's older brother. On the world he was from, Jared was the Physics whiz to his brother's annoyance. Then again, he had been annoying since they met a few days ago. As usual he had a device in hand, almost oblivious to the people around him.
Jared hit the bench. He stumbled for a moment. Then he looked at them through his black horn-rimed glasses.
"What I miss?" Jared asked.
Jules looked at Cassandra. She looked at him. The signs of frustration were all over her face.
"You sure you want to do this, Q-ball?"
Q-ball. It had been ages since Quinn Mallory had heard that. It came from one of his closest friends Rembrandt Brown. A lost friend..that he had finally found.
"Jared checked it," Quinn said, walking alongside Rembrandt as they entered Golden Gate Park. "I'm sure Randy checked it. Rebecca didn't leave a tracer."
"You sure about that?" Rembrandt asked. "This is Rebecca Pryce we're talking about."
Quinn nodded. When the others had been on Cassandra's world, Rebecca had found a timer that tracked Rembrandt along with his old comrade Melissa Clark and newcomer Jared Heim. She escaped from the Yuzaki attack by using it.
"For her to leave her bargaining chip at all," Quinn said, "tells me she saw a bigger score. Wonder what it was."
"No telling with her," Rembrandt said.
"Right!" Quinn exclaimed.
"But it doesn't matter," Rembrandt said. He stopped walking, touching Quinn's shoulder. "What matters...is that we found each other at last. After Alexandrian World...I wasn't sure...I couldn't have told Wade..."
"I know," Quinn said, feeling his eyes water. "I couldn't get home to her without finding you all first."
Rembrandt smiled. Quinn did the same.
"How about we see about going home?" Quinn asked.
The long jet-black hair flowed behind her. She walked into Golden Gate Park with total confidence about her. She did not realize he was watching her. He wasn't sure how he would feel if she knew this.
Did he care?
Was he caring again?
Melissa Clark.
Randy Heim let the name roll off of his tongue. An ocean of emotion threatened to corrupt him. He...would not let it.
For now.
WHAT IF YOU SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? A PLACE WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON, IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?
WORLDS WHERE...
...THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ENDED DIFFERENTLY...
OR
...THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS IN FULL SWING...
OR
...THE ALEXANDRIAN EMPIRE STILL REIGN?
OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN INFINITE WORLDS, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES...AND MANY ENEMIES...
THE WAR HAS BEGUN...
WHAT SIDE WOULD YOU BE ON?
AND...WHAT IF YOUR KEY TO GETTING HOME...WAS LOST?
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 8
EPISODE 10: DIVERGENCE
"And remember, citizens: therapy sessions are logged each day so it is extremely important to go to your daily appointments. A well-balanced American is a productive American..."
Quinn took in the speakers all along the sidewalk. No one else appeared to bat an eye as they walked about their day. Businessmen with their suitcases, cellphones to their ear. Skateboarders on the other side of the street. A bohemian couple a few feet away from Rembrandt and Quinn. They acted as if they did not hear the speaker, happy grins on their face.
"This is kind of creepy."
Quinn looked to his right. It was Melissa Clark. She stared around her, the wrinkles on her forehead betraying her confusion.
"Agreed," Quinn said. He pulled out the timer. "However, a couple of days."
"And then?" Melissa asked.
"Between Randy, me, and Jared," Quinn said, "we can think of something."
"Are you sure, Q-ball?" Rembrandt asked. "I mean..."
Rembrandt gestured behind them. Quinn knew what he meat. Randy followed behind them. Not a word was said, his eyes as blank as ever. That had been how he had been since killing Edward Albright to save Quinn...which was better than taking out anyone who discovered sliding...which was what he did after his boyfriend Ethan died. Now...he was off on his own little world.
"I just can't believe it," Rembrandt said.
"It's like an extended trance," Melissa said.
"Is that a good thing?"
Melissa swung around, her eyes narrowing on Randy.
"Only if you want to turn up dead," Melissa said.
Randy stopped walking. Quinn kept his eyes on him. Randy's eyes continued to be blank, however his forehead tensed up.
"Melissa--" Rembrandt started.
"It's okay, Remmy," Melissa said, turning away. "Water under the bridge. Paige did what needed to be done. And...Randy made his choice."
Melissa continued walking. Quinn looked over at Rembrandt. Rembrandt stared back, his face darkened.
"Did I mention our falling out?" Rembrandt asked.
Quinn saw movement to his left. He looked and saw Cassandra appear. She grinned.
"Oh, I heard about that," Cassandra said. "He embraced his fate and joined me on my world. You others...kept sliding."
"How's that working out for you?" Rembrandt replied.
Cassandra glared at Rembrandt. He chuckled. Then he kept walking.
"Yeah," Rembrandt said. "Just like the rest of us. Randomly sliding."
Cassandra kept her glare, but continued walking. Randy followed suit. A moment later, Jared walked past, fiddling with a device. Finally, Jules stood next to him. He managed a lopsided grin.
"Fun reunion, huh?" Jules uttered.
"And remember, citizens: therapy sessions are logged..."
Jules drowned out the speaker. He had come down into the Dominion bar because it felt a little too...crowded in the room. While he was happy that they had found the others, Jules was not used to not being able to...be.
"So you want another, sir?"
Jules looked up at the bartender. He managed a smile as she picked the pitcher up.
"Yes, please, Kathy," Jules replied.
Kathy took the pitcher away. A moment later, she brought back a new pitcher full of Blue Moon. Jules poured a glass. As he drank, Jules pondered.
Since Jules had left Dark Sliders World with Quinn and the others the focus had been on finding the others. They were found. So...was it time to work on home? Or would the others feel how Randy felt and go after the Yuzaki? And what did Jules think?
Jules drank his beer.
He felt a fear growing in him. He knew it well. Fear of losing what he felt like was his family. Especially now that his closest friend...Thomas...was dead.
"Room for one more?"
Jules looked to his right. He was sure his face betrayed surprise. Cassandra sat down next to him. Kathy was there instantly with a new glass. Cassandra poured beer into it quickly. She drank it.
"So..." Jules said.
Cassandra looked at him. "So..."
"Driving you crazy, too?" Jules asked.
"Some people just need to let things go."
Jules frowned. "Didn't you try to kill Rembrandt?"
Cassandra glared. A moment passed. Then she released a sigh and took another drink.
"Things change," Cassandra said finally.
Jules took a drink. "Yes. They do."
He felt warm for a moment. That was good. buzzes were good, right?
"So..." Cassandra said, "...what now?"
"That is the thing...isn't it?" Jules uttered. He took another drink. Then he looked at her. "You have visions, right? What do y--"
Jules paused. Cassandra's eyes clouded over. Then her whole face became shrouded in shadows. Her long blond curls hiding her expression.
Cassandra finally looked up.
"Confession?" Cassandra uttered.
"Good for the soul?" Jules uttered back.
"I really haven't had many visions since I've joined you all," Cassandra said. "They used to be like a constant friend on my world. My world's Randy's used to get spooked by it. Now..."
She paused. Her blue eyes fell on her beer glass. Jules reached out and touched her shoulder. She flinched.
"Hey, hey!" Jules exclaimed. "It's okay."
Cassandra looked at him, her eyes dark.
"No," she said, "it's not."
He could feel her eyes on him. He was not really sure how he felt about it. A part of him recalled the time her looking would bring him peace. The other part of him...the part he currently used...the part that buried his emotions...felt a slight stirring from within. He would leave it buried. Lest he found himself in pain gain...or worse...got a visit from loves lost.
"I'm sorry about Ethan."
Ethan. Just the name brought the feeling of a pounding to his mind. Feelings struggled to claw through him and surfaced. He found his eyes looking up in spite of his need to keep those feelings in check.
Melissa sat on the other end on the couch from him. Her hands were in her lap. She sat across from him, her dark eyes staring through him like a syringe through skin.
What she did not know...what she could not see...was the specter leaning behind her shoulders. His gray eyes stared at him. They revealed taunting and daring. They had anger as well. It was almost as if they knew something he did not. Or worse...they accused him of something that was not true.
"I'm serious," Melissa continued, tilting her head causing the specter to move to her other shoulder. "We had our differences. But I never wanted him..."
Randy looked away from the two of them. He felt a flinching begin in him that he wanted to stop. It only appeared to stop when he created something. At the moment, his tools were unavailable.
"So," Melissa said, "the Yuzaki want to grow. We have to stop them."
Yes! He agreed. Until then...home...if it even exist..was not an option. He looked up again. His eyes widened.
Ethan stared back at him.
"You can't bury me," he said.
Randy's face went blank. "Watch me."
He pulled out the blade. Then he lunged.
The blade shot out quickly. Then just like that, Melissa's arm came up. It grabbed his wrist and twisted.
"What in the world!"
Randy looked to his left. Quinn and Rembrandt looked back, shock all over their faces. Randy stared forward again. Surprise hit him instantly.
Melissa had his arm in a tight grip. Her dark eyes betrayed shock and anger. Randy dropped his blade. Melissa shook her head.
"What happened to you?" Melissa uttered.
"So is he a danger to us?"
Quinn stared at Rembrandt across the table. It was the first thing out of his mouth when they walked into this 24 hour diner. Rembrandt and Melissa sat on one side. Quinn was on the other. Rembrandt stared fiercely.
"He's off in his own little world," Quinn said.
"Funny thing about him being off in his little world," Melissa said, leaning forward. Her face darkened. "People turn up dead."
"And didn't you say he snapped Edward Albright's neck?" Rembrandt asked.
"To save me," Quinn said. "Otherwise--"
"How can you be so sure he won't do it to any of us?" Melissa demanded.
"Which brings us back to...is he a danger to us?"
Quinn sat back in his seat. he wished he had a firm rebuttal. The truth was that he didn't. Their concerns were the same as his.
Randy had been in this mode since they left Dark Sliders World. He didn't see it as completely good. He now was not seeing it as completely bad.
"I think he has a plan in mind," Quinn said. "So that is the path he's following."
"And if that path leads to trouble?" Rembrandt asked.
"I...I don't think it will," Quinn said. "Just need to let it run its course."
"He just tried to stab me," Melissa shot out.
"And I'm sure there's a reason," Quinn said.
Melissa's eyes widened. "Are you saying--"
"I'm saying," Quinn said, cutting Melissa off and keeping his eyes on Rembrandt. "Trust me."
Silence fell across the table. Quinn could see Rembrandt's eyes were visibly conflicted. Quinn looked over at Melissa. He hit a nerve with her as well. Good.
"Fine, Q-ball," Rembrandt said finally. "You make the call."
"Does he?" Melissa challenged.
"Melissa!" Rembrandt said.
"You weren't on the receiving end of a blade, Remmy," Melissa said. "Who's to say it won't happen again."
"I'm saying trust me," Quinn said.
Melissa's eyes narrowed on him. "And I'm saying I don't want another Kat."
Kat. As in Katherine Rye. She had slide with Melissa for a while. Then she killed someone. And the need to kill again...consumed her.
"You don't know if it'll come to that," Quinn said.
"Let's be real," Melissa said. "Ethan's gone. It's not like he's in love with...any of us. ANYTHING is possible."
He knew what Melissa wanted to say. He wasn't in love with Melissa anymore. He knew they had had a falling out before parting ways. He also knew it must have sting to see Randy happy with..anyone. They had been like Quinn and Wade when they first started sliding.
"I haven't liked a lot of what Randy's been doing since I finally tracked him down," Quinn said. "I expected you two to be with him, not sliding around who knows where. Then to find out he knew where they were all along. He was too focused on Yuzaki. But...after the trial...he saved me." He looked at Melissa. "I'm going with my gut. And my gut says more is going on than we know. I'm going with it."
Melissa leaned back in her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest. her eyes took Quinn for a moment more. Then she looked away.
"Fine," she said finally.
He...walked. After what happened at the hotel, he could not stay there. He could not face...it.
But...what was it?
He...had attacked...the one he loved. Correction it would seem. He attacked the ONES he loved. He aimed for one and almost got the other.
"Don't," Randy said aloud.
He did not say anything back to Randy. Randy knew he was there. He walked beside him. He said not a word, but Randy knew he was there.
"Go away," Randy said.
"It is not working, you know," he said, his tone taunting.
"I cannot get this done while you are hovering around," Randy continued.
"This?"
"You know what it is."
"Perhaps I am here for a reason. Did you consider that? After all..retreating into this...shell...was to block out anything...distracting. So...why would I be here now? What would be distracting you since you are per the course?"
Randy stopped in his step. He allowed Ethan's words to roll over his mind like a leaf hitting water, causing a ripple. He felt his mind wondering what he meant.
"Randy Heim."
Randy turned around. A short man with slicked back black hair stared back at him. He stared back at Randy through thick black glasses.
A name shot to the surface of Randy's mind.
Robert Bufford.
His archrival back in college.
Staring at him like he had lost his mind.
"Talking to yourself, I see," Bufford continued. "Explains a lot." His face darkened. "You realized you missed your scheduled therapy session."
Randy felt movement about him. He realized three things. One--Ethan was gone. Two--as soon as Bufford said what he said, several passerbys gave the two of them a wide berth. Three--he was now surrounded by several men dressed in white.
"You'll have to come with me," Bufford said, his voice not even hiding his glee.
Cassandra didn't flinch as the hand touched her shoulder. She was definitely feeling her beer if he had gotten through her defenses anyway. Jules managed a grin.
"It's our floor," he announced. Then he giggled.
It was contagious Cassandra realized too late. A giggle escaped her lips. She quickly clamped both of her hands over her mouth. That made Jules laugh harder. Cassandra did the same.
"Okay," Jules said, grabbing her arm, "time to get off the elevator."
Cassandra wanted to say she could do it by herself. Then vertigo hit her sight. She stumbled for a moment.
"Cass--" Jules started.
"I'm good!" Cassandra snapped. She moved forward. "Let's go."
They started moving, leaving the elevator behind. Cassandra managed to suppress a giggle. It had been nice to get drunk. It had somewhat freeing to talk about her visions.
"So anything else you haven't told me?"
Cassandra came out of her thoughts. Jules had gotten them to their door, and she had not even realized it. She really was that drunk.
"I mean," Jules continued, lowering his voice, "before we walk in there."
Cassandra frowned for a second. "Huh?"
"You don't re...oh, never mind," Jules said.
"No never mind," Cassandra said, coming to life in his arms. "What--"
"The Yuzaki ships," Jules said. "You said they are going to increase from one." His face darkened. "You also said Quinn and Randy were arguing about something, but you were sure what or who it was about. Then--"
"Stop!" Cassandra snapped.
Yes. She had been too drunk.
"It's okay," Jules said.
"No, it's not," Cassandra said.
"It really is," Jules said. He managed a grin. "We all have a secret or two. Sometimes...it's good to tell somebody."
"Really?" Cassandra said, leaning forward. "What's yours?"
That wiped the grin right off of Jule's face. What replaced it was a look that Cassandra did not like at all. She reached out and touched his cheek. Jules's face softened.
"I'm sorry," Cassandra said. "I'm just angry at myself and taking it out on you."
Jules reached up and touched Cassandra's hand on his cheek. He grinned. "It's okay."
Cassandra grinned. That was good to hear. The last thing she wanted...
Jules stared at her. She stared back. She realized that she should have already moved her hand. she felt her face warm from embarrassment at being so vulnerable.
A hand touched her cheek, shocking Cassandra out of her thoughts. Jules still grinned at her.
"Really," Jules said, leaning forward, "it's okay."
Before Cassandra could stop him, Jules had leaned forward. His lips touched hers. Her mind raced.
Then the door shot open. Cassandra jumped back quickly. Jules stood still, surprise, and shook over his face. He looked at the interrupter and glared. Cassandra looked as well. She glared.
"There you are!" Jared Heim exclaimed. "I got something to show you!"
Quinn walked into the Dominion lobby. After talking to Rembrandt and Melissa, he had needed to clear his head. So he went for a walk.
His eyes fell on the Dominion check-in counter. It wasn't unusual to see Gomez Calhoun there greeting new travelers. Tonight however, there was a note: OUT FOR SCHEDULED SESSION. BACK IN AN HOUR.
Quinn felt his forehead wrinkle up. Everywhere he went on his walk, he couldn't help, but see it. Speakers talking about it. People running, worrying that they will be late for it. People were really big on their therapy session.
"Mr. Mallory, I am very, very disappointed in you."
Quinn frowned. He knew that voice. He turned around quickly. His mouth fell ajar.
How long had it been? How long had it been since he ran his fingers through her short dark hair? Looked into her eyes as they woke up together? Wrapped his strong arms around her small feminine body? Since he proposed marriage, and her face lit up into a dozen different expressions of joy? Too long, Quinn thought.
And yet, Wade Welles stood before him.
She still had dark hair, only longer and with bangs. She formed a nice slender form in a light beige business suit with shirt. Her hands were behind her back, Her head to the side, but her stride upright and professional. Her eyes hinted at a bit of affection, but it was guarded.
"Uh...sorry?" Quinn managed.
"Sorry?" Wade uttered. "Sorry. Mr. Mallory, we have gone over this time and time again. therapy is MANDATORY. Especially for you. I can only jump through so many hoops...walk through so much fire for you."
The Dominion doors opened behind Wade. Two men dressed in white entered, their clothes making Quinn think of orderlies. Right down to their medium build. Their look wasn't very nice. Wade stared at him, her look held a trace of sadness.
"And now," Wade said, "it is much too late."
"You are not giving me very much."
Randy managed a head turn. His sight fell on Bufford. While Randy laid back on the couch, Bufford had taken a seat across from him.Randy could see bit of annoyance on his face. If he had cared, Randy was sure he might say something. Instead, he had allowed himself to sit and think about an equation that just might--
"Mr. Heim."
Bufford again.
"I am very sorry for your loss," Bufford continued. "When you lost the one you love...it can shatter you. Completely. It is the very reason for therapy. We want citizens who will be productive. Tragedy...takes away from that. Do you not watch Oprah and Dr. Phil. Not mandatory but.."
Randy wanted to frown. However that would be a reaction. he no longer did those.
"And then..considering who your love was," Bufford continued. He paused, his forehead wrinkling up. "I believe I have every single one of Melissa Clark's cds."
And just like that, Randy shot up from the couch.
He just realized why he had Ethan popping up this time. What Ethan was trying to tell him.
"Oh, God," Randy uttered.
Bufford frowned. "Pardon?"
"You are late."
Randy had not even made it out the doors when he heard him. He kept walking. His mind raced, but he kept his face clear.
He had to save the others.
Cassandra looked over at him. Him in this case was the spectacle wearing man in the tailored suit. His dark hair was slicked back into a short ponytail. She had never known a therapist to have one. Not that she hated it. In fact, she found it comforting.
"So," the man...Dr. Taylor...said, "you two almost kissed?"
"Yes," Cassandra answered.
She felt completely stupid. She could have talked about missing her homeworld, leaving out the fact that she was from a parallel Earth. She could have talked about her vision and her worries. That it would come to pass like they always do. She could even discuss her relationship...or lack there of...with her mother. And yet...here she was talking about a kiss?
"And how did this...almost kiss...make you feel?" Dr. Taylor asked.
"It made me feel..." Cassandra started, her mind looking for the words.
"Awesome!"
It was the first words that came out of Jules's mouth.
What else could he say? The appointed therapist...a short-haired brunette...looked back at him. She asked him how he felt about his...kiss. Okay, almost kiss.
He almost did it. He almost kissed Cassandra. Maybe it was the beer. Maybe it was having a fully-formed goatee. Maybe it was the vibe.
Yep. The beer.
"I mean...she's cute," Jules said.
"Or it could be the goatee," Cassandra continued. She frowned. "It was probably the beer."
"It felt like the most normal thing to do," Jules continued. He stared at his therapist, his hands clamped together. "And I really want to be normal."
"It was in the moment," Cassandra said. "Okay, maybe it was the goatee."
"Do you feel you're not normal?"
Jules was sure his stare darkened.
"You have no idea," Jules replied.
Cassandra looked at Dr. Taylor. "I can't though."
"Why would you say that?" Dr. Taylor asked.
"Because he had a goatee in my vision," Cassandra said.
"Oh."
"It would be another sign," Cassandra continue. "Another sign that my vision...is going to come true."
"And this would be a bad thing?"
Cassandra's eyes narrowed. "Yes."
"Why do you think you are not normal?"
Jules had to not laugh at that question. He leaned forward on the couch. Meanwhile, the therapist sat calmly, waiting for his reply.
"Sucky childhood," Jules said.
"Howso?"
"Parents...dead. Adopted father...not who he appeared to be."
"But...he loved you?"
"With all of his...heart."
"Sounds normal to me."
"You have no idea."
"How about you tell me?"
"Why is it a bad thing?"
"Do you always answer a question with a question?" Cassandra asked.
"Do you feel I am touching a nerve by asking questions?" Dr. Taylor shot back, his voice the tone of calm.
"Ugh!" Cassandra exclaimed, shooting up off the couch.
"Miss Wilkes," Dr. Taylor said, "you appear to be clearly irritated. I must remind you that these sessions are mandatory. Thus...it could be the best antidote...talking and discussing...for taking that feeling away. Allowing you to be--"
"A productive citizen," Cassandra said, cutting him off. "Yes! I know!"
"So...why angry?" Dr. Taylor asked, clearly ignoring her outburst.
Cassandra found herself pausing. She had made it over to the window. She looked out on this new day, life passing her by.
"They have been with me since I was young," Cassandra began. "My visions. I never frowned on them. I never doubted them. I trusted in them my whole life." She looked back at Dr. Taylor. "And now that is all I do. I doubt. I hope it is wrong."
"Are you sure they are never wrong?" Dr. Taylor asked.
"Never," Cassandra said. "Normally, I would accept it. You cannot escape fate. It is meant to be. But if I go with this...if I believe...then the last few months...me without a way home was meant to be...then I would have to believe I will never get home." Her eyes narrowed. "And that I refuse to believe."
"Without a home?" Dr. Taylor uttered, showing a hint of a frown.
"Never mind."
"Miss Wilkes," Dr. Taylor said, "How am I to help you become a more productive citizen if you hold back?"
"I'm productive," Cassandra said.
"Perhaps you feel that this...almost-kiss...would make you less....productive?"
Cassandra felt her mouth open. Not a word came out. Silence started to fill in the moment. She found her feet moving. Then before she knew it, Casandra found herself back on the couch. Dr. Taylor sat in his chair, his face still the picture of calm.
"It feels right," Cassandra said. "But at the same time it feels wrong. there are so many things up in the air."
"Anyone else in the picture?" Dr. Taylor asked.
"I...not really."
"You hesitated. Why?"
Cassandra looked down for a moment. "Let's say I have some regrets."
"Howso? You do not strike me as--"
"There...well...I don't know," Cassandra said, staring at Dr. Taylor. "We never got to...figure it out."
"Oh."
"Again everything was up in the air."
"I see."
"So...if I had gone for it," Cassandra continued. "If I had give into the kiss...it is almost like good-bye. Good-bye to what I knew."
"Moving on doesn't necessarily mean letting go," Dr. Taylor said. "You can always come back to it."
"And if moving on...means that something bad is going to happen?"
"Perhaps this can be the exception to the rule in terms of your visions."
"No such thing."
"How do you know for sure if you are not willing to try?"
He did have a point, Cassandra thought. She had already been a go-getter. That was how she had become head of her own troop. She had not backed down from a challenge. Too late to start now.
But...Dr. Taylor didn't know. He didn't know of the many times her visions had been right. Especially in her pursuit of Randy and his group of sliders. In the end, Randy had realized his best bet was to align with her. And that had been the end. For her world. For Max. For...
Cassandra shook her head, shaking the thoughts away. When had she grown so indecisive? Her eyes fell on Dr. Taylor. She glared.
"Can I go?" Cassandra demanded, hating being so vulnerable.
"Were we in love?"
Quinn saw Wade's face bunch up. They sat in the back of a limo. He was ext to her. Her...goons were in an car behind them.
"Why would you say that?" Wade asked.
"You let your guys say you would be safe alone with me," Quinn asked. "I figured there was some...history there."
"Not in the way you think," Wade replied.
"Care to explain it to me."
"For one, I know you're not the Quinn Mallory I know," Wade said, her eyes on Quinn now, steely-cold. "You see...I helped him escape."
Quinn's forehead formed lines. He did not see that coming. He had no idea if this was good or bad.
Wade turned away from Quinn. She stared out her window. Her eyes took on a faraway look.
"Years," Wade said. "It took Quinn years to recover from the death of his wife. Years." The trace of a smile crept onto her face. "And he tried. Talking with me twice a week. Online dating. Going out. It was...adorable."
Quinn chuckled. Her comment made him think of another time, another place. Oh, how he missed her.
"How could I not like that?" Wade asked aloud. "So...he stopped being my patient. And..." She paused, a smile crept until her face. "We got to know each other a little...better." Her face darkened. "Then he told me he wanted to stop therapy."
Wade turned to look back at Quinn. Her eyes had gone from nostalgia to steeled reality.
"He wanted to leave therapy," Wade said. "Therapy dates back to the 1980s and Oprah's surprising influence on the talk show circuit. Talk therapy works. the people of the world are more productive now when they can vent than they could years ago." She frowned. "And yet...he wanted to stop. he wanted to break the law."
"So I helped him."
Staged breakup? Check. Restated as his therapist over friends' objection? Check. Visit to pharmacy? Check."
"Wait," Quinn uttered. "You faked his death."
"It was the only way," Wade said. "So...yes." She threw a glare at Quinn. "So your presence? Throwing all of that in journey."
"Why didn't you go with him?"
"Easier to make one vanish than two."
"Don't you miss him?'
Wade's face softened. A moment later, her eyes became moist. Quinn felt a pain inside at having made her eyes water.
"Every day of my life," Wade said. "But...rather that he's alive out there somewhere than dead here." She wiped at her eyes. "The real question is what are we going to do with you? There's no way to shake my 'men.' So you are going to have to escape."
"How?"
"Jump out of the car."
Quinn's eyes widened. "What?"
"Now!" Wade snapped. "Kick open the door!"
Quinn looked to his left. He quickly threw out a leg, kicking in the door. It popped open easily enough.
"Jump!" Wade yelled.
"What about you?" Quinn demanded.
A look of endearment crossed Wade's face. She shook it away.
"I'll be fine," Wade said. "Go!"
Quinn jumped out of the car. Pain shot through his body as he hit the door. However, the sound of beeping got him up. He moved out of the way just in time, a Lexus speeding past him.
Quinn made it to the sidewalk. He turned to see that Wade's limo had stopped. He also saw the car behind her had stopped. The men in white had gotten out. They headed to Wade's car to investigate.
Quinn made a run for it.
"There you are! I have some interesting theories that--"
Randy made it to Jared Heim easily enough. It was all so simple. He reached out for Jared. His hands reached out for Jared's neck.
Then he snapped it.
Quinn smiled as he turned the corner. The familiar sight of the Dominion Hotel did his heart good right now. He only hope that Wade was doing a--
He paused as he made it across the street. A small crowd had gathered in the front. As he got closer, Quinn saw why. Jared Heim was on the ground, neck snapped.
"Oh, no," Quinn uttered.
He ran into the Dominion. His mind raced. Were the others--
Quinn stopped. "Randy?"
Randy was in the lobby. He had a gun trained on Rembrandt. Melissa was right by him, the fear evident on her face.
"Q-ball--" Rembrandt started.
"Randy!" Quinn yelled.
Randy responded by firing the gun.
"Remmy!"
Quinn barely heard Melissa's screams. All he saw was Rembrandt on the floor of the Dominion lobby. Blood slowly fell out of the hole in his forehead.
Dead.
His eyes fell on Randy. Randy stood still over Rembrandt, his gun hand lowered. His eyes were blank, no reaction to the killing.
"You!" Quinn shouted.
Then he lunged forward.
"How...could...you!" Quinn said, throwing punches at Randy. The punches kept missing the mark, given that Randy dodged with ease. His face betrayed nothing, making Quinn angrier. He swung at Randy again. "Why did you--"
Randy caught Quinn's fist. His brown eyes hinted at a flash of anger.
"He wasn't Remmy," Randy uttered.
"What?" Melissa uttered behind Quinn. "Of course, he's--"
Randy's gun hand shot up.
"Don't," Randy demanded.
Melissa threw her hands up. She kept her eyes on Randy. Quinn saw her eyes water.
"Randy, why are you doing this?" Melissa asked. "We haven't done anything to you."
Randy said nothing. He kept the gun aimed at her. Quinn just wanted to shake his head.
"Randy, stop," Quinn said, his voice firm. "It's Melissa."
"No," Randy said, his voice with edge," it's not."
"Yes, I am," Melissa said. "What' is wrong with you?"
"I agree," Quinn added. "What--"
"It...was my session," Randy said. "It made me realize the truth."
"Or," Melissa said, dropping her arms, "it made you lose your mind." She looked at Quinn. "I know you said he went off the deep end because of Ethan, but--"
"Do not test me," Randy said.
"No!" Melissa shot back. "You don't test ME. YOU made your choice, remember? You wanted to join Cassandra on her world. All the times she and her group had gone after us and you went with her. How would I know that if I wasn't who I said I was?"
"I remember how it used to be. Me. You. Richard. Darnell. I remember getting captured by the Foundation and remember you dying. I know you."
Quinn's eyes were on Randy. He stared at her, his eyes surprisingly tense. Melissa's eyes pleaded with Randy to drop the gun.
For a moment, Quinn's eyes looked down. Rembrandt was stil there. he had hoped he wouldn't be, but he still was. Bullet in the head. Dead. He looked at Randy again, his anger rising.
"You don't know me," Randy said.
"I love you," Melissa replied. "Of course, I do."
"Then sing."
Melissa frowned. Quinn did the same. Meanwhile, Randy stared at her, the edge in his face giving way to calm determination.
"I don't--" Quinn started.
"Sing," Randy demanded.
"Fine," Melissa said.
And...Melissa sang. Quinn believed the song was an Ace of Base song. And she carried a good tone. A few moments later, Melissa finished.
"See?" Melissa said. "I can sing."
"Good to know," Randy said. "Melissa doesn't sing."
And then...Quinn remembered. His fist fell beside him. Surprise and shock washed over him in equal measure.
He had been told by Rembrandt once. He had found out when Rembrandt and Richard Hall, one of the old group, had swapped stories. Melissa could not carry at a tone. At all. It had come in handy when the sliders came across Melissa doubles, which was often.
His eyes fell on Rembrandt's body again. It was a Remmy. But it was not REMMY.
He looked at Melissa. She fell to the couch. A moment later, she started sobbing.
Finally, Quinn looked at Randy. He looked back at Quinn, his eyes blinking like a robot.
Quinn started to walk away. He paused. Then he spun around, his hand a fist.
This time, he connected with Randy's jaw. He fell to the floor.
"Son of a bitch," Quinn uttered.
"So..."
Cassandra did not dare look up. She simply sat on the Dominion stairs. Her eyes watched a couple across the street. They walked hand in hand, the girlfriend's head on his shoulder.
She felt movement next to her. She was about to give him the satisfaction of seeing her react to his presence. She turned to look at Jules, keeping her look calm.
"So..." Cassandra started.
To think only a few days ago, they had been at golden gate Park. They were at a loss for words then. Their...so's...
"I can't believe it," Jules uttered.
"Neither can I," Cassandra said. "Randy could have proven his point without..."
Jules nodded.
"I don't remember sliding being this...brutal," Cassandra commented.
"You think Quinn will let him come on the slide?"
"What choice does he have?"
"He always has a choice."
"Quinn is just as good as Randy," Cassandra said. "Or so I've been told."
"Quinn is good," Jules said.
Cassandra smirked. "Sez you."
Jules smiled. A moment passed. Neither of them said anything, just staring into each other's eyes. Cassandra felt her body warm longing into Jules's eyes which had so much warmth to them. He leaned a little closer. His lips started to move. Those luscious lips...
"Okay," Cassandra said, shooting up off the stairs, "let's see if the others are ready for the slide."
He did not even need to turn around. He had come to the roof to think about all that occurred in the last few days. He knew it was simply a matter of time before she would show up. He even felt her presence.
"So are you going to talk?" she asked. "I know you know I'm here."
What was there to say? Not a word. He had done what needed to be done.
He frowned. The scene of perfume filled his nose. It was a sign that she was closer. He turned...to find Melissa next to hm. He found that oddly surprising.
"I remember when Kat killed someone," Melissa began. "She did it to save me. The price though? Her need to...urge to kill...was too much for someone as kind-hearted as she was. it was her undoing. It'll be yours."
"No," Randy said simply.
"Yes," Melissa shot back.
"Don't presume to know me."
"My bad! Did you not make a choice between me and Paige Kendall?"
Randy's head jerked in her direction. Melissa gave a weak smile. Her eyes clearly relishing this.
"I guess I know you better than you think," Melissa said. Her face darkened. "That's love for you. And I did love you so much. That's why it hurt so much when you couldn't remember me. Or when you thought my mailopath double was me. Or when you chose to save me and not some redhead that stabbed him in the back. Or you picked Ethan over me."
"And who did you pick?" Randy snapped, taking Melissa by surprise with his outburst judging from her expression. "Ben. Richard."
"That never stopped you," Melissa said her face growing hard.
"Or you," Randy shot back. "And it shouldn't take me getting with a guy to get your at--"
"That!" Melissa said, pointing at Randy. "That was what I was looking for."
"Don't listen to her."
Randy crossed his arms over his chest. His head tilted. Melissa would not know. However he knew Ethan was right next to him. He willed Ethan to keep quiet. He stared at Melissa, his eyes calm.
"That?" Randy uttered, his voice flat.
"Emotions," Melissa replied. "Feelings."
"Don't listen...to her," Ethan uttered.
"Can't," Randy said. "I cannot feel anymore."
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, really? Why?"
"Feelings get in the way of what needs to get done."
"Bull!"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Melissa challenged.
Randy stared at her without another word. There was nothing coming from Ethan, either. Melissa stood her ground, his blank stare not scaring her at all.
"I was your best friend, Randy," Melissa said. "Apparently on a lot of worlds that continue to hold up. Otherwise, how could I know you would react to what I'm saying. And you were at your strongest when you cared. Don't let yourself forget that."
"Yes, she does not understand," Ethan said.
"If you don't think I will understand," Melissa said, "then let's find out. Tell me why you are like this."
"Don't--" Ethan started.
"Zoe," Randy said.
"Your female double."
For some reason, Randy felt relieved. He was sure that there was not that many doubles of Zoe out there. He was sure he should be surprised at this Melissa knowing her. But...he wasn't. It was comforting.
"She can do so many things," Randy admitted, his back falling lower as if a weight had lifted. "Or it's things that I just now thought about. She's miles ahead of me with no empathy for others."
"So you feel you should be just like her?"
"I have no choice."
"You always have a choice," Melissa said, her eyes coming alive. "You know that better than anyone." She looked away. "You don't have to be her to beat her. Killing people."
"What do I do then?"
Melissa walked over to Randy. For some reason, Randy flinched. He turned to his left to see that Ethan was no longer by him. It made him wonder if maybe that was...
Hands grabbed his cheeks, getting Randy out of his thoughts.
There she was. Melissa Clark. The first person he had loved. Her dark eyes looked into his, full of hope and firm determination. When had he been so lost? She leaned closer. He could smell her. He could kiss her.
"Be smarter," she whispered.
Randy looked at her. He saw that determination. He felt it. He leaned down a little closer.
"Am I interrupting?"
Melissa pulled back. She kept her eyes on Randy for a moment. Then she turned around. Randy looked as well. Quinn had come onto the roof. Melissa walked over to him.
"Not at all," Melissa replied. "I guess I should leave you guys to your slide."
"You're welcome to come with us," Quinn said. "I mean now that you are..."
"No," Melissa said. She looked over at Randy, her eyes full of sadness. "After what...no. I couldn't." She looked down, her hands fiddling with her pocket. Then she pulled it out: her timer. She looked at Quinn. A smile crept onto her face. "I think I'll wait for this to count down. After all...the next slide...might be the slide home."
Melissa walked away. Sadness filled Randy. He wondered if the Melissa he knew was okay.
"Remember when it used to be so simple?"
Randy came out of his thoughts. Quinn stared after Melissa. Then he turned to Randy, his face void of emotion.
"But it isn't anymore, is it?" Quinn said. "And things change."
Randy stared at Quinn. "Yes, the do."
"And you are talking again."
"For now," Randy replied.
"Then I guess now is the perfect time," Quinn said.
"Talk?" Randy uttered, frowning.
"About why I'm leaving you here," Quinn replied.
THE-END
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